For Everyone Touched By Cancer
Immunotherapy is changing the way cancer is treated, offering a new pathway for long-term remission and, in some cases, the possibility of cure. In this on-demand webinar, medical oncologist Dr. Ricky Frazer delivers a clear and compelling overview of what immunotherapy is, why it doesn’t work for everyone, and what can be done to improve its effectiveness.
Combining scientific depth with humour and humanity, Dr. Frazer walks viewers through the key principles of immunotherapy, outlines the latest breakthroughs, and answers real patient questions with honesty and practical insight.
At its core, immunotherapy removes the 'brakes' that prevent the immune system from recognising and attacking cancer cells. The primary target is a group of immune cells known as T cells — our body’s natural defenders. In many cancers, tumour cells produce proteins like PD-L1 that effectively turn these T cells off. Immunotherapy drugs block this interaction, reactivating the immune response.
Dr. Frazer puts it simply:
“We’re not giving you something to kill the cancer — we’re helping your body remember that it already knows how.”
Unlike chemotherapy, which affects all fast-growing cells (cancerous and healthy), immunotherapy aims to train the immune system to continue working long after treatment ends — potentially offering lasting protection.
One of the most pressing questions patients have is why immunotherapy doesn’t work for everyone. Dr. Frazer addresses this head-on.
Some cancers — such as pancreatic, prostate, and certain brain tumours — create physical barriers, such as fibrous meshworks, that prevent immune cells from reaching the tumour. Others exist in “immune deserts,” with few or no immune cells present in the tumour environment to begin with. Genetic factors, tumour biology, and even previous treatments can all influence how well immunotherapy works.
Using melanoma as an example, Dr. Frazer highlights how immunotherapy has redefined what’s possible. Just over a decade ago, stage 4 melanoma often meant a prognosis of less than one year. Today, with immunotherapy:
This level of success — and the fact that the immune system continues to provide surveillance — marks a profound shift in how cancer is treated.
Immunotherapy can cause side effects that are very different from chemotherapy. They are driven by the immune system itself and can affect any organ.
Common examples include:
Dr. Frazer stresses the importance of early reporting. Most side effects are reversible if caught quickly.
“I tell my patients — I can only fix it if I know about it. Don’t sit at home trying to tough it out.”
He also highlights a fascinating trend: patients who experience stronger immune-related side effects often show better treatment responses. While this doesn’t mean side effects are desirable, it’s a reminder of the delicate balance at play.
Perhaps the most empowering takeaway from the session is that patients have a role to play in making immunotherapy more effective.
Dr. Frazer explains how the gut microbiome — the community of bacteria living in our digestive system — has a direct impact on treatment response. Based on emerging research, he offers several practical recommendations:
“I’m so confident in this, I bought the domain poopill.com,” he joked. “One day we’ll be giving patients capsules of good gut bacteria to boost response — and I’ll be ready.”
Chemotherapy and immunotherapy are not rivals — they are tools. But understanding their differences is essential:
| Chemotherapy | Immunotherapy |
|---|---|
| Kills rapidly dividing cells | Reactivates immune system |
| Predictable side effects | Variable, immune-driven side effects |
| Often immediate effect | May take longer to show results |
| Temporary effect | Potential for long-term immune memory |
Immunotherapy is not necessarily “gentler,” but it is more targeted. And for many cancers, it now plays a key role in first-line treatment, adjuvant therapy, or in combination with other approaches.
The webinar also looks ahead at what’s coming next. Dr. Frazer outlines three areas of innovation:
1. Cancer Vaccines
The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated research in mRNA vaccines — and that technology is now being applied to cancer. Personalised vaccines are already in clinical trials, aiming to train the immune system to target specific tumour mutations.
2. Oncolytic Viruses
Engineered viruses injected into tumours can help break them apart and expose cancer cells to the immune system — essentially flagging them for attack.
3. TIL Therapy (Tumour-Infiltrating Lymphocytes)
This cutting-edge technique involves removing immune cells from around a tumour, growing billions of them in a lab, and reintroducing them to the patient to seek and destroy cancer throughout the body. While still costly, TIL therapy is already in use in some centres and may become more accessible through NHS trials.
Some of the most promising therapies, including TIL, currently cost up to £1 million per dose. However, trials are underway to expand access, and national health services are working to negotiate pricing. As with many new therapies, what is costly today may become more broadly available tomorrow.
“If it leads to a durable response or cure with one dose, that investment could be justified. But it’s early days.”
Throughout the session, Dr. Frazer responded to questions from patients and caregivers with clarity and empathy. Topics included:
The discussion was grounded, human, and refreshingly free of jargon.
For those wanting to continue learning, Dr. Frazer recommends The Immunobuddies, a podcast he co-hosts, which now includes a series specifically for patients. Topics range from managing side effects to real-life concerns like intimacy, diet, and daily routines during treatment.
Dr. Frazer closed the session with this message:
“Immunotherapy has changed everything. It’s not a miracle cure, and it doesn’t work for everyone. But it gives us something we didn’t have before: time, memory, and in some cases, real hope. The science is only going to get better.”
This webinar is available to watch on demand for anyone seeking trustworthy, up-to-date guidance on one of the most significant medical advancements of our time.
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